Kennedy Questions Severity of Jan. 6 Prosecutions, Calls for Investigation into Potential Political Motivation
• Kennedy cast doubt on gravity of Jan. 6 riots, suggested prosecution was politically motivated • Claimed there was little evidence of "true insurrection," had to retract claim rioters did not carry weapons • Called riots "one of most polarizing topics," said he wants to "hear every side" • Said if elected he'd appoint special counsel to investigate if prosecutions were "abused for political ends" • Has history of downplaying seriousness of riots, latest statement attempt to take centrist stance less extreme than Trump's